Hillsborough College (HC) is located in the vibrant waterfront city of Tampa, Florida, with campuses across Hillsborough County. Known for its year-round sunshine, the Tampa Bay region is home to some of the best beaches in the world, a vibrant cultural scene, sports of all kinds, and excellent higher education opportunities.
HC is not a typical state college – it offers a variety of features that help elevate the student experience. These include an Honors Program, an extensive selection of associate degree options, a Center for International Education which offers dedicated services to students arriving from abroad, and more.
The college helps students seamlessly transfer to four-year universities. If a student wants to attend a selective four-year college, a liberal arts institution, a nationally ranked university, or an Ivy League school, HC helps them get there.
One of HC’s signature transfer opportunities is FUSE, a partnership with the University of South Florida (USF) that provides seamless pathways toward both an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree. Students who meet FUSE program requirements and successfully complete their associate degree are guaranteed admission into select USF majors. FUSE students also benefit from coordinated advising from both HC and USF as they prepare to transfer.
Unlike most state colleges, HC offers on-campus student housing. Hawks Landing student apartments offer luxury student housing located on the college’s largest campus. In addition, all of HC’s five campuses are located close to a range of amenities, making for an ideal student experience.
Hillsborough College continues to grow and evolve while remaining focused on providing students with affordable, high-quality academic opportunities, strong university transfer pathways and engaging college experience in the Tampa Bay region.
Hillsborough Community College has officially become Hillsborough College, marking an exciting new chapter in the institution’s history. The new name reflects the College’s continued growth and expanding role in higher education while preserving the accessibility, personalized support and strong academic foundation that have long defined the student experience.
For international students, HC continues to offer dedicated support through the Center for International Education, five campuses throughout Hillsborough County, on-campus student housing and opportunities to prepare for successful transfer to four-year universities.
Hillsborough College students continue to achieve at the highest levels of collegiate competition. In May 2026, the HC Lady Hawks women’s tennis team won the NJCAA Division I Women’s Tennis National Championship in Sumter, South Carolina.
The victory marked the program’s fourth national championship in school history and its third national title in four years, highlighting the strength of HC athletics and the opportunities students have to become part of an active and accomplished college community.
US$9,111 Undergraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details
US$8,604 Vocational Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details
HC has one of the lowest tuition rates in the United States. Programs at HC allow international students to earn an associate degree without incurring additional expenses associated with universities. They can then transfer to a four-year institution and complete their bachelor’s degree. This is a much more cost-effective option than paying for a four-year college or university degree.
Although international students are unable to receive needs-based or state financial aid, HC provides funding opportunities through a range of scholarships for eligible students. Most of these scholarships are awarded once students have enrolled at the college. Available scholarships include:
Students who currently reside outside the United States and are applying for an initial F-1 student visa should visit the Center for International Education (CIE) website and complete the international student application. A full list of F-1 admissions requirements can be found within the application and on the CIE website.
Applicants must submit a current financial document/bank letter to prove financial support. This document must be in English, on official institutional letterhead, and bear the applicant’s or sponsor’s name. It must show at least USD 25,274 for one year of study at HC.
Applicants must submit proof of one of the following:
Students who graduated from a high school outside the United States may need to have their transcripts, graduation certificates and/or exam results to be evaluated by an agency approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) to prove equivalency with a U.S. high school diploma (certified translation required if the transcripts are not in English).
See international secondary school requirements for admission for a list of countries exempt from the transcript evaluation requirement.
Applicant who attended a university or college outside of the United States are required to submit a course-by-course evaluation and translation (if not in English) by the application deadline.
International (F-1 visa) students whose native language is not English and whose country of citizenship is not on the English proficiency waiver list must demonstrate English language competency to gain admission to the college.
There are many ways to meet the English language requirement, including a minimum TOEFL score of 61 (iBT), or a minimum band score of 5.5 on the IELTS test, or a 95+ on the Duolingo English Test.
HC has over 2,200 faculty and staff. Teachers and support staff are dedicated to helping students reach their goals. International students learn in small classes where there’s an average student-to-faculty ratio of 21:1. This small class size is perhaps the best feature of HC, providing students with unparalleled opportunities to engage and learn.
At HC, professors are focused on teaching and knowing each of their students as individuals. Students have frequent opportunities to engage and contribute in the classroom. Faculty also offer on-campus and online office hours, allowing students flexibility in communicating with their professors.
The Dr. Lydia R. Daniel Honors Program at HC is designed to promote a rigorous academic program for exceptionally talented and motivated students, all at no extra cost. Honors classes are limited to 15 students giving them an optimal opportunity to connect with their professors and classmates. Honors faculty are carefully selected to teach these courses. Many of the college’s programs are among the best in the state and all are fully accredited.
The Honors Program also provides a dedicated advising staff for students in the program. These advisors can help students register for Honors classes and help them craft a competitive application to an elite transfer university.
Hillsborough College has five campuses in Tampa Bay:
Campus life is very vibrant at HC, and students can enjoy a wide variety of programs and activities. These include modern classrooms and technologies, dining options, bookstores, arts spaces, breakout rooms, and sports facilities. There are many clubs and groups that students can join on each campus, to ensure they lead an active student life during their time at HC.
HC offers on-campus housing at Hawks Landing student apartments, located on the Dale Mabry Campus. Residences offer affordable living with all-inclusive costs in an ideal location, with an enjoyable and fun atmosphere.
In each apartment, every student has their own private bedroom and en-suite private bathroom.
The shared living spaces include a fully equipped kitchen and washing machines and dryers. Both internet and utilities are included in the monthly rent. Hawks Landing provides student Resident Assistants to enhance students’ quality of life, and there are 24-hour security services.
The Center for International Education (CIE) is Hillsborough College’s dedicated international office, where all global initiatives are managed. CIE supports international students all the way from admission to graduation, helping every step of the way. When students arrive at HC, they will attend an orientation where they meet CIE advisors. They learn about immigration, visas, course registration, health insurance, and other matters. This helps to make their U.S. student experience as smooth as possible.
CIE is considered a “one-stop-shop” for international students. Rather than having to attend different areas to get help with admissions, immigration, academic issues and more, students can get all the answers they need in one location, making it much easier to tackle any problems in one go.
Other college support services include:
Connect with students worldwide, explore campus life and learn about life abroad.
Chat to current students
View study abroad life
Watch on-demand streams
Meet your future peers
DOWNLOAD IDP LIVE TO JOIN
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download
Connect with students worldwide, explore campus life and learn about life abroad.
Chat to current studentsView study abroad lifeWatch on-demand streamsMeet your future peers
3 last steps to get started
Tampa, Florida, USA
